diff --git a/roles/distgit/templates/pkgdb_sync_git_branches.py b/roles/distgit/templates/pkgdb_sync_git_branches.py
index c931d26aa4..ced139bc6d 100644
--- a/roles/distgit/templates/pkgdb_sync_git_branches.py
+++ b/roles/distgit/templates/pkgdb_sync_git_branches.py
@@ -189,16 +189,17 @@ def branch_package(pkgname, branches):
     if not os.path.exists(
             os.path.join(GIT_FOLDER, '%s.git' % pkgname)):
         _invoke(SETUP_PACKAGE, [pkgname])
-        branches.remove('master')  # SETUP_PACKAGE creates master
-        fedmsg.publish(
-            topic='branch',
-            modname='git',
-            msg=dict(
-                agent='pkgdb',
-                name=pkgname,
-                branch='master',
-            ),
-        )
+        if 'master' in branches:
+            branches.remove('master')  # SETUP_PACKAGE creates master
+            fedmsg.publish(
+                topic='branch',
+                modname='git',
+                msg=dict(
+                    agent='pkgdb',
+                    name=pkgname,
+                    branch='master',
+                ),
+             )
 
     # Create all the required branches for the package
     # Use the translated branch name until pkgdb falls inline